OUT & ABOUT: April 29, 2007

Yesterday I was out and about with Grace Lin at the Newburyport Literary Festival in Massachusetts. Grace was doing two presentations…so during her first reading and drawing session at a Montessori school, I sat in on the presentations of two other children’s illustrators: Ed Emberley and Wade Zahares. I first met Ed Emberley at a Robert’s Snow event in Newburyport a couple of years ago…and I met Wade Zahares at In Celebration of Children’s Literature at the University of Southern Maine two summers ago.

Ed was great with the young children who clustered around him as he signed books. He chatted with them, made funny noises as he drew pictures for them, and listened intently to their questions and requests.

Ed Emberley Signing Books

It was good to see some of the original sketches and illustrations for Wade’s new book, LUCKY JAKE, which got a starred review from Booklist: “This solid story is taken to a whole new level by Zahares's amazing artwork. Using pastels in deep and heavy hues, solid shapes, and unusual perspectives, he provides images that roll breathtakingly across the pages. . . . Some of the scenes show the hard work of frontier life, but they are shrouded in colors that give the effort an almost mystic edge. An intriguing mix of old-fashioned storytelling and cutting-edge art.” I purchased one of Wade’s limited edition prints of a snowman—which I’ve had my eye on for some time.

An Illustration from LUCKY JAKE
Grace & Wade

I also had the opportunity to chat with illustrator Anna Vojtech. I taught one of Anna’s sons in second grade many years ago. Anna does beautiful artwork. Check out Anna's website. Here are some of the books she has illustrated:

Finally, I sat in on Grace’s THE YEAR OF THE DOG reading at Nichols Hall. Grace read from her book and then showed children and adults alike how to draw a likeness of the dog she illustrated in her book. Who should I spot in Nichols Hall but one of my oldest and dearest friends Lynne Laffie. Lynne and I attended elementary school, high school, and college together!

Lynne & Grace

MAKING THE BLOG ROUNDS

If you haven’t already read the latest issue of The Edge of the Forest, now is the time. There’s an Interview with Grace Lin by Pam Coughlan (MotherReader). Also of interest is the Cybils article, which was written by Kelly Herold of Big A, little a; Allie of Bildungsroman; and Anne Boles Levy of Book Buds.

Susan Thomsen has an announcement about the 14th Carnival of Children’s Literature that she will host at Chicken Spaghetti.

Tricia at The Miss Rumphius Effect explains why she blogs in her post Why I Blog.

Pam Coughlan announces the Second Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge at MotherReader.

Cloudscome hosts the Poetry Friday roundup at A Wrung Sponge.

And, finally, you may want to check out Jules and Eisha’s interview with Blue Rose Girl Meghan McCarthy at 7-Imp.

See you on Monday with my final poem for National Poetry Month. Whew! One more poem to go…I hope I make it!!!